Morocco's National Team Coach: Winning Portugal's Opponents, This Is Not A Blow But The Fruit Of Our Hard Work

Photo: Doc. Antara

JAKARTA - Morocco's national team coach Walid Regragui insists that he does not want to consider the 1-0 victory against Portugal in the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals as a miracle.

For Regragui, victory at Al Thumama Stadium, Doha, Qatar, Saturday, December 10 evening, was the fruit of the hard work of the Morocco players who were not afraid to face Portugal, who on paper were more favored because of the quality of the composition of his squad.

"This is not a miracle. The media, perhaps especially the Western media, will call this a miracle, but for me this is not a miracle. This is the fruit of our hard work," Regragui told a press conference after the match, reported by Antara.

Furthermore, the former defender, who 45 times defended Morocco, admitted that he wanted his team to be able to take on the role he played in Rocky back in the sequel to the film Rocky.

According to Regragui, the audience has never considered performing a miracle every time the figure, played by Silvestore Stallone, wins in the film's storyline.

"The audience must think that all that Rocky men have achieved is the fruit of their hard work. We want to be Rocky pen from this World Cup," he said.

On the other hand, Regragui said that Morocco entered the match with a clear game strategy, namely several important pillars such as Achraf Hakimi and Sofiane Boufal had to fight harder in an effort to dismantle Portugal's defenses.

At the same time, the same level of determination was also demanded by Regragui to other Morocco players.

"It's true they put a lot of pressure on us, but just like against Spain, we didn't concede this match either," he said.

"With all these achievements, I believe we are now the most liked and eagerly awaited team in this World Cup," Regragui added.

Morocco won 1-0 over Portugal thanks to Youssef En-Nesyri's header which jumped high to deflect Yahia Attiyat Allah's cross.

The result made Morocco carve a gold record as an African continental team as well as a team member of the first Arab-state League to reach the semifinals of the World Cup.

Morocco will await another quarter-final winner between England and defending champions France which runs late.